BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., November 8, 2001- Doubletree Club Hotel, an
upscale, mid-market hotel offering within the Hilton family of hotels,
has begun a campaign to inform developers about the new Doubletree Club
hotel design prototype which is geared toward rehabilitation of an
existing hotel. The brand plans to add approximately 30 hotels
primarily through franchise agreements to its portfolio during the next
three years via a targeted program of conversions and new construction
in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.
As a line extension of the Doubletree brand, Doubletree Club hotels are
designed to compete in the focused-service hotel category. While the
guest room finish and standards are intended to be identical to an
upscale Doubletree hotel, typically these hotels are smaller (150-250
rooms), have less than 5,000 square feet of meeting space, offer limited
F&B facilities, and are located in airport, suburban and secondary
markets. The distinctive feature of these hotels is the signature Club
Room, which is designed for today's business traveler, is a combination
office, den and restaurant/lounge. The atmosphere in the Club Room
blends the business features of an airline club room with the comfort of
a residential den.
Mid-market hotels that are more than 10 years old and have not been
recently renovated tend to lose their distinctiveness and identity,
said Dave Horton, senior vice president - brand management for
Doubletree. Today's business and leisure travelers clearly show a
preference in staying at newer hotel products that offer the amenities
and services geared to their needs. Our Doubletree Club growth strategy
has been created to give these older properties in great locations a
second life. Our Doubletree Club prototype offers owners an excellent
opportunity to renovate and rejuvenate the economic viability of these
hotels with a minimal investment.
There are nearly 25 Doubletree Club hotels currently open in city center
and suburban markets across the U.S. Two Doubletree Club properties
expected to open by year end 2001 include a newly constructed 110-room
hotel near JFK International Airport in Jamaica, N.Y. and a 125-room
hotel upgrade and conversion project in Livermore, Calif.
Our Doubletree Club concept is a fresh and innovative approach to the
focused service segment. Owners think it is a great opportunity for the
brand to grow with a unique product, said William Fortier, senior vice
president - franchise development for Hilton Hotels Corporation.
Conversions will certainly be the key growth vehicle behind this
brand's expansion, although we expect some of our growth to come from
new construction.
As part of the new development thrust, Doubletree Club has revamped the
initial design of its unique Club Room, which combines full business
services, food service and relaxation area into a single, communal
environment. The Club Room is the focal point of each Doubletree Club
property designed to make maximum use of available space and combines an
upscale, TV-equipped bar and grill with a retail operation,
complimentary meeting rooms, workstations and lounge areas featuring
big-screen video entertainment. A total of 28 phone lines throughout the
Club Room provide telecommunication and Internet access. A 24-hour,
self-service business center accommodates photocopying, faxing and other
out-of-office business needs.
Food and beverage outlet options have been expanded to include popular
regional restaurant themes, in addition to the newly developed Club
Grille concept.
Doubletree Club Hotels, Doubletree Guest Suites, Doubletree Hotels and
Doubletree Resorts are part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, recognized
internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company
develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,000 hotels, resorts
and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the
world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including
Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton
Inn & Suites, Harrison Conference Centers, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton
Grand Vacations Company, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Red Lion Hotels &
Inns.
To learn more about Doubletree Club franchise development, visit our
program website at www.doubletreefranchise.com or contact
1-800-286-0645.
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The following service marks are owned by Hilton Hospitality, Inc.:
Hilton®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®,
Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Homewood Suites® by Hilton, Red
Lion Hotels & Inns®, Hilton Grand Vacations Company® and ConradT.
Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of federal securities law, including statements concerning
business strategies and their intended results, and similar statements
concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not
historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this press release
are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the effects
of economic conditions; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms;
competitive conditions in the lodging industry, relationships with
clients and property owners; the impact of government regulations; and
the availability of capital to finance growth, which could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the
statements herein.
Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
